Keystone Exams: Biology

Assessment Anchors and Eligible Content

Pennsylvania Department of Education

www.education.state.pa.us
2014

PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

General Introduction to the Keystone Exam Assessment Anchors
Introduction
Since the introduction of the Keystone Exams, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has been working to create a set of tools designed to
help educators improve instructional practices and better understand the Keystone Exams. The Assessment Anchors, as defined by the Eligible
Content, are one of the many tools the Department believes will better align curriculum, instruction, and assessment practices throughout the
commonwealth. Without this alignment, it will not be possible to significantly improve student achievement across the Commonwealth.

How were Keystone Exam Assessment Anchors developed?

Prior to the development of the Assessment Anchors, multiple groups of PA educators convened to create a set of standards for each of the
Keystone Exams. Enhanced standards, derived from a review of existing standards, focused on what students need to know and be able to do in
order to be college and career ready.
Additionally, the Assessment Anchors and Eligible Content statements were created by other groups of educators charged with the task of clarifying
the standards assessed on the Keystone Exams. The Assessment Anchors, as defined by the Eligible Content, have been designed to hold together or
anchor the state assessment system and curriculum/instructional practices in schools.
Assessment Anchors, as defined by the Eligible Content, were created with the following design parameters:
Clear: The Assessment Anchors are easy to read and are user friendly; they clearly detail which standards are assessed on the Keystone
Exams.
Focused: The Assessment Anchors identify a core set of standards that could be reasonably assessed on a large-scale assessment, which will
keep educators from having to guess which standards are critical.
Rigorous: The Assessment Anchors support the rigor of the state standards by assessing higher-order and reasoning skills.
Manageable: The Assessment Anchors define the standards in a way that can be easily incorporated into a course to prepare students for
success.

How can teachers, administrators, schools, and districts use these Assessment Anchors?
The Assessment Anchors, as defined by the Eligible Content, can help focus teaching and learning because they are clear, manageable, and closely
aligned with the Keystone Exams. Teachers and administrators will be better informed about which standards will be assessed. The Assessment
Anchors and Eligible Content should be used along with the Standards and the Curriculum Framework of the Standards Aligned System (SAS) to build
curriculum, design lessons, and support student achievement.
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Assessment Anchors and Eligible Content

Keystone Exams: Biology Page 2

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The Assessment Anchors and Eligible Content are designed to enable educators to determine when they feel students are prepared to be successful
in the Keystone Exams. An evaluation of current course offerings, through the lens of what is assessed on those particular Keystone Exams may
provide an opportunity for an alignment to ensure student preparedness.
How are the Assessment Anchors organized?
The Assessment Anchors, as defined by the Eligible Content, are organized into cohesive blueprints, each structured with a common labeling system
that can be read like an outline. This framework is organized first by module, then by Assessment Anchor, followed by Anchor Descriptor, and then
finally, at the greatest level of detail, by an Eligible Content statement. The common format of this outline is followed across the Keystone Exams.
Here is a description of each level in the labeling system for the Keystone Exams:
Module: The Assessment Anchors are organized into two thematic modules for each of the Keystone Exams. The module title appears at the
top of each page. The module level is important because the Keystone Exams are built using a module format, with each of the Keystone
Exams divided into two equally-sized test modules. Each module is made up of two or more Assessment Anchors.
Assessment Anchor: The Assessment Anchor appears in the shaded bar across the top of each Assessment Anchor table. The Assessment
Anchors represent categories of subject matter that anchor the content of the Keystone Exams. Each Assessment Anchor is part of a module
and has one or more Anchor Descriptors unified under it.
Anchor Descriptor: Below each Assessment Anchor is a specific Anchor Descriptor. The Anchor Descriptor level provides further details that
delineate the scope of content covered by the Assessment Anchor. Each Anchor Descriptor is part of an Assessment Anchor and has one or
more Eligible Content unified under it.
Eligible Content: The column to the right of the Anchor Descriptor contains the Eligible Content statements. The Eligible Content is the most
specific description of the content that is assessed on the Keystone Exams. This level is considered the assessment limit and helps educators
identify the range of the content covered on the Keystone Exams.
Enhanced Standard: In the column to the right of each Eligible Content statement is a code representing one or more Enhanced Standards
that correlate to the Eligible Content statement. Some Eligible Content statements include annotations that indicate certain clarifications
about the scope of an eligible content.
o e.g. (for example) sample approach, but not a limit to the eligible content.
o i.e. (that is) specific limit to the eligible content.

Standards Aligned System http://www.pdesas.org/

Pennsylvania Department of Education www.education.state.pa.us

Cover photo Hill Street Studios/Harmik Nazarian/Blend Images/Corbis.

Pennsylvania Department of Education

Assessment Anchors and Eligible Content

Keystone Exams: Biology Page 3

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Keystone Exams: Biology

MODULE ACells and Cell Processes

FINALApril 2014

ASSESSMENT ANCHOR
BIO.A.1 Basic Biological Principles
Anchor Descriptor
BIO.A.1.1

Explain the characteristics

common to all organisms.

BIO.A.1.1.1

Anchor Descriptor
BIO.A.1.2

Enhanced
Standard

Eligible Content
Describe the characteristics of life shared by all prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms.

Enhanced
Standard

Eligible Content

BIO.A.1.2.1
Describe relationships
between structure and
function at biological levels of
organization.
BIO.A.1.2.2

3.1.B.A1
3.1.B.C2
4.1.3.A
4.1.4.A

Compare cellular structures and their functions in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.

3.1.B.A1
3.1.B.A5
3.1.B.C2
4.1.4.A

Describe and interpret relationships between structure and function at various levels of
biological organization (i.e., organelles, cells, tissues, organs, organ systems, and multicellular
organisms).

3.1.B.A5
3.1.B.A6
3.1.B.A1

Eligible Content may be assessed using knowledge and/or skills associated with the Nature of Science.

Pennsylvania Department of Education

Assessment Anchors and Eligible Content

Keystone Exams: Biology Page 4

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Keystone Exams: Biology

MODULE ACells and Cell Processes

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ASSESSMENT ANCHOR
BIO.A.2 The Chemical Basis for Life
Anchor Descriptor
BIO.A.2.1

Describe how the unique

properties of water support
life on Earth.

BIO.A.2.1.1

Anchor Descriptor
BIO.A.2.2

Describe and interpret

relationships between
structure and function at
various levels of biochemical
organization (i.e., atoms,
molecules, and
macromolecules).

Describe the unique properties of water and how these properties support life on Earth
(e.g., freezing point, high specific heat, cohesion).

BIO.A.2.2.1

3.1.B.A8
3.1.B.A5
4.2.5.C

Enhanced
Standard

Eligible Content
Explain how carbon is uniquely suited to form biological macromolecules.

3.1.B.A7
3.2.C.A2

BIO.A.2.2.2 Describe how biological macromolecules form from monomers.

3.1.B.A7
3.1.B.A8
3.1.B.A2
3.1.C.A2
3.1.C.A7

BIO.A.2.2.3 Compare the structure and function of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids in
organisms.

3.1.B.A7
3.1.B.A2
3.1.C.A2
3.1.C.A7

Anchor Descriptor
BIO.A.2.3

Enhanced
Standard

Eligible Content

Explain how enzymes regulate BIO.A.2.3.1

biochemical reactions within a
cell.
BIO.A.2.3.2

Enhanced
Standard

Eligible Content
Describe the role of an enzyme as a catalyst in regulating a specific biochemical reaction.

3.1.B.A2
3.1.B.A7

Explain how factors such as pH, temperature, and concentration levels can affect enzyme
function.

3.1.B.A2
3.1.B.A7

Eligible Content may be assessed using knowledge and/or skills associated with the Nature of Science.

Pennsylvania Department of Education

Assessment Anchors and Eligible Content

Keystone Exams: Biology Page 5

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Keystone Exams: Biology

MODULE ACells and Cell Processes

FINALApril 2014

ASSESSMENT ANCHOR
BIO.A.3 Bioenergetics
Anchor Descriptor
BIO.A.3.1

Identify and describe the cell

structures involved in
processing energy.

BIO.A.3.1.1

Anchor Descriptor
BIO.A.3.2

Enhanced
Standard

Eligible Content

BIO.A.3.2.1
Identify and describe how
organisms obtain and
transform energy for their life
processes.
BIO.A.3.2.2

Describe the fundamental roles of plastids (e.g., chloroplasts) and mitochondria in energy
transformations.

Enhanced
Standard

Eligible Content
Compare the basic transformation of energy during photosynthesis and cellular respiration.

Describe the role of ATP in biochemical reactions.

3.1.B.A2
3.1.B.A5
3.1.C.A1

3.1.B.A2
3.1.B.A5
3.1.C.A1
4.1.10.C
3.1.B.A2
3.1.C.A1
3.1.C.A2

Eligible Content may be assessed using knowledge and/or skills associated with the Nature of Science.

Pennsylvania Department of Education

Assessment Anchors and Eligible Content

Keystone Exams: Biology Page 6

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Keystone Exams: Biology

MODULE ACells and Cell Processes

FINALApril 2014

ASSESSMENT ANCHOR
BIO.A.4 Homeostasis and Transport
Anchor Descriptor
BIO.A.4.1

Identify and describe the cell BIO.A.4.1.1

structures involved in
transport of materials into,
out of, and throughout a cell.

Describe how the structure of the plasma membrane allows it to function as a regulatory
structure and/or protective barrier for a cell.

3.1.B.A5
3.1.B.A2
3.1.B.A4
3.1.B.A7
3.2.C.A1
3.2.P.B6

BIO.A.4.1.2

Compare the mechanisms that transport materials across the plasma membrane (i.e., passive
transportdiffusion, osmosis, facilitated diffusion; and active transportpumps,
endocytosis, exocytosis).

3.1.B.A5
3.1.B.A2
3.1.B.A7
3.2.C.A1
3.2.P.B6

BIO.A.4.1.3

Describe how membrane-bound cellular organelles (e.g., endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi

apparatus) facilitate the transport of materials within a cell.

3.1.B.A5
3.1.B.A2

Anchor Descriptor
BIO.A.4.2

Enhanced
Standard

Eligible Content

BIO.A.4.2.1
Explain mechanisms that
permit organisms to maintain
biological balance between
their internal and external
environments.

Enhanced
Standard

Eligible Content
Explain how organisms maintain homeostasis (e.g., thermoregulation, water regulation,
oxygen regulation).

3.1.B.A8
3.1.B.A5
4.5.4.D
4.2.4.C

Eligible Content may be assessed using knowledge and/or skills associated with the Nature of Science.

Pennsylvania Department of Education

Assessment Anchors and Eligible Content

Keystone Exams: Biology Page 7

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Keystone Exams: Biology

MODULE BContinuity and Unity of Life

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ASSESSMENT ANCHOR
BIO.B.1 Cell Growth and Reproduction
Anchor Descriptor
BIO.B.1.1

Describe the three stages of

the cell cycle: interphase,
nuclear division, cytokinesis.

BIO.B.1.1.1

Describe the events that occur during the cell cycle: interphase, nuclear division (i.e., mitosis
or meiosis), cytokinesis.

3.1.B.A4
3.1.B.A5
3.1.B.B2
3.1.B.B3
3.1.B.B5
3.1.B.C2
3.1.C.C2

BIO.B.1.1.2

Compare the processes and outcomes of mitotic and meiotic nuclear divisions.

3.1.B.A4
3.1.B.A5
3.1.B.B2
3.1.B.B3
3.1.B.B5
3.1.B.C2
3.1.C.C2

Anchor Descriptor
BIO.B.1.2

Explain how genetic

information is inherited.

Enhanced
Standard

Eligible Content

Enhanced
Standard

Eligible Content
BIO.B.1.2.1

Describe how the process of DNA replication results in the transmission and/or conservation
of genetic information.

3.1.B.B1
3.1.B.B3
3.1.B.B5
3.1.B.C2
3.1.C.C2

BIO.B.1.2.2

Explain the functional relationships between DNA, genes, alleles, and chromosomes and their
roles in inheritance.

3.1.B.B1
3.1.B.B5
3.1.B.B2
3.1.B.B3
3.1.C.C2

Eligible Content may be assessed using knowledge and/or skills associated with the Nature of Science.
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Assessment Anchors and Eligible Content

Keystone Exams: Biology Page 8

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Keystone Exams: Biology

MODULE BContinuity and Unity of Life

FINALApril 2014

ASSESSMENT ANCHOR
BIO.B.2 Genetics
Anchor Descriptor
BIO.B.2.1

Compare Mendelian and

non-Mendelian patterns of
inheritance.

BIO.B.2.1.1

Describe and/or predict observed patterns of inheritance (i.e., dominant, recessive,

co-dominance, incomplete dominance, sex-linked, polygenic, and multiple alleles).

3.1.B.B5

BIO.B.2.1.2

Describe processes that can alter composition or number of chromosomes

(i.e., crossing-over, nondisjunction, duplication, translocation, deletion, insertion, and
inversion).

3.1.B.B1
3.1.B.B2
3.1.B.B3
3.1.C.C2

Anchor Descriptor
BIO.B.2.2

Explain the process of protein BIO.B.2.2.1

synthesis (i.e., transcription,
translation, and protein
modification).

Anchor Descriptor
Explain how genetic
information is expressed.

Enhanced
Standard

Eligible Content

BIO.B.2.2.2

BIO.B.2.3

Enhanced
Standard

Eligible Content

Describe how the processes of transcription and translation are similar in all organisms.

3.1.B.B1
3.1.B.B3
3.1.B.B5
3.1.C.B3
3.1.C.C2

Describe the role of ribosomes, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, and the nucleus in
the production of specific types of proteins.

3.1.B.A5
3.1.B.B3
3.1.B.B5
3.1.C.B3

Enhanced
Standard

Eligible Content
BIO.B.2.3.1

Describe how genetic mutations alter the DNA sequence and may or may not affect
phenotype (e.g., silent, nonsense, frame-shift).

3.1.B.B1
3.1.B.B3
3.1.B.C2
3.1.C.B3
3.1.C.C2

Eligible Content may be assessed using knowledge and/or skills associated with the Nature of Science.
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Assessment Anchors and Eligible Content

Keystone Exams: Biology Page 9

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Keystone Exams: Biology

MODULE BContinuity and Unity of Life
Anchor Descriptor
BIO.B.2.4

Apply scientific thinking,

processes, tools, and
technologies in the study of
genetics.

FINALApril 2014
Enhanced
Standard

Eligible Content
BIO.B.2.4.1

Explain how genetic engineering has impacted the fields of medicine, forensics, and
agriculture (e.g., selective breeding, gene splicing, cloning, genetically modified organisms,
gene therapy).

3.1.B.B4
4.4.7.A
4.4.10.A
4.4.12.A
4.4.7.B
4.4.10.B
4.4.12.B

Eligible Content may be assessed using knowledge and/or skills associated with the Nature of Science.

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Assessment Anchors and Eligible Content

Keystone Exams: Biology Page 10

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Keystone Exams: Biology

MODULE BContinuity and Unity of Life

FINALApril 2014

ASSESSMENT ANCHOR
BIO.B.3 Theory of Evolution
Anchor Descriptor
BIO.B.3.1

Explain the mechanisms of

evolution.

BIO.B.3.1.1

Explain how natural selection can impact allele frequencies of a population.

3.1.B.C1

BIO.B.3.1.2

Describe the factors that can contribute to the development of new species (e.g., isolating
mechanisms, genetic drift, founder effect, migration).

3.1.B.C1
3.1.B.C2

BIO.B.3.1.3

Explain how genetic mutations may result in genotypic and phenotypic variations within a
population.

3.1.B.C2
3.1.B.B1

Anchor Descriptor
BIO.B.3.2

Analyze the sources of

evidence for biological
evolution.

Apply scientific thinking,

processes, tools, and
technologies in the study of
the theory of evolution.

Enhanced
Standard

Eligible Content
BIO.B.3.2.1

Anchor Descriptor
BIO.B.3.3

Enhanced
Standard

Eligible Content

Interpret evidence supporting the theory of evolution (i.e., fossil, anatomical, physiological,
embryological, biochemical, and universal genetic code).

Enhanced
Standard

Eligible Content
BIO.B.3.3.1

3.1.B.C3
3.1.B.C1
3.1.B.B3

Distinguish between the scientific terms: hypothesis, inference, law, theory, principle, fact,
and observation.

3.1.B.A9

Eligible Content may be assessed using knowledge and/or skills associated with the Nature of Science.

Pennsylvania Department of Education

Assessment Anchors and Eligible Content

Keystone Exams: Biology Page 11

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Keystone Exams: Biology

MODULE BContinuity and Unity of Life

FINALApril 2014

ASSESSMENT ANCHOR
BIO.B.4 Ecology
Anchor Descriptor
BIO.B.4.1

Eligible Content

Describe ecological levels of

BIO.B.4.1.1
organization in the biosphere.
BIO.B.4.1.2

Anchor Descriptor
BIO.B.4.2

Enhanced Standard

Describe the levels of ecological organization (i.e., organism,

population, community, ecosystem, biome, and biosphere).

4.1.4.A
4.1.7.A

4.1.10.A
4.1.7.C

4.4.6.A

4.5.3.D

Describe characteristic biotic and abiotic components of

aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.

4.1.7.A
4.1.3.A

4.1.4.B
4.2.10.A

4.1.4.C
4.4.5.C

4.4.3.C

Eligible Content

Describe interactions and

BIO.B.4.2.1
relationships in an ecosystem.
BIO.B.4.2.2
BIO.B.4.2.3

BIO.B.4.2.4

BIO.B.4.2.5

Enhanced Standard

Describe how energy flows through an ecosystem (e.g., food

chains, food webs, energy pyramids).

4.1.4.C
4.1.7.C

4.1.10.C
4.1.12.C

4.1.3.C
4.1.5.C

4.1.5.A

Describe biotic interactions in an ecosystem (e.g., competition,

predation, symbiosis).
Describe how matter recycles through an ecosystem (i.e.,
water cycle, carbon cycle, oxygen cycle, and nitrogen cycle).

4.1.7.A

4.1.10.A

4.5.3.D

4.5.6.D

4.1.4.B
4.1.7.B
4.2.5.A
4.1.10.A
Describe how ecosystems change in response to natural and
4.1.10.B
human disturbances (e.g., climate changes, introduction of
4.1.12.A
nonnative species, pollution, fires).
4.1.4.A
4.1.12.C
4.1.4.E
Describe the effects of limiting factors on population dynamics 4.1.4.A
and potential species extinction.
4.1.10.A
4.1.12.A
4.1.7.E
4.1.10.E
4.1.4.E

4.2.7.A
4.3.12.A
4.4.3.C
4.1.7.E
4.1.10.E
4.5.10.D
4.2.8.A
4.2.10.A
4.2.12.A
4.2.10.C
4.5.3.D
4.5.5.D
4.5.6.D
4.5.10.D

4.5.4.C
4.5.8.C

4.3.4.D
3.1.B.A2

4.2.10.B
4.2.12.B
4.2.10.C
4.2.12.C
4.3.12.A

4.3.10.B
4.5.10.B
4.5.12.B
4.5.4.C
4.5.7.C

4.2.10.A
4.2.7.A
4.2.8.A
4.2.10.B
4.4.6.A

4.4.6.B
4.4.3.C
4.4.5.C
4.5.7.B
4.5.7.C

Eligible Content may be assessed using knowledge and/or skills associated with the Nature of Science.
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Assessment Anchors and Eligible Content

Keystone Exams: Biology Page 12

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